Gel nails have been a popular choice for those who want longer lasting nails that can withstand chipping for up to two weeks. As these alternative nail coatings are made with essential nutrients and vitamins, not only will nails be covered with a hard layer as the pigmented gel polish is cured, the nails also get to grow healthier. Even with these benefits, however, others are still having second thoughts of having their nails done with a gel polish.

The reason for this is the equipment needed to have a perfect gel manicure — a UV or a LED lamp. A gel manicure is set or cured by ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths that hit the molecules called photoinitiators present in the gel and activates them.

When gel manicures became a trend during the early 2000s, many expressed their concern about the possible danger of being exposed to harmful UV radiation. There were studies indicating that UV lamps, like tanning beds, can cause skin damage on the hands and can put clients at risk for most cancers. Recent developments in the industry have made possible the rise of another curing device — the LED light dryers.

LED (light-emitting diode) nail lamps are rapidly becoming the more favored option than the UV (ultraviolet) lamps for many reasons. As to which would best work for the gel nails that you would like to have, will depend on your personal choice. However, there are gel nail polish that works best with their manufacturer endorsed lamps. There are also gel nail coatings that actually do not require curing. If you find one that does not need to be subjected under the heat of a UV lamp to bond with the other layers of gel nail products on your nails, then you don’t really need to worry as your nails will still resemble the perfect gel nail finish that you want.

What are the differences of a LED lamp from a UV lamp?

In general UV nail lamps are used to cure all gel polish brands. LED lamps, on the other hand, can only cure LED specific gel polish brands. So, when it comes to usability, the UV lamp wins.

Another distinguishing feature is the drying time. Best LED nail lamps to offer a faster drying time compared to UV lights, making them a safer option. A faster curing time means less time you will be exposed to harmful radiation, hence this is a definite advantage for anyone deciding which dryer to go with. UV lights usually take 2 minutes to cure a gel polish, while LED lamps take about 30-45 seconds.

This is made possible since UV lamps emit broad UV wavelengths. That causes them to take more time to cure. A thing about the UV lamps, however, is that they on all gel coatings. LED technology, on the other hand, uses more narrow UV wavelengths that target specific photoinitiators present in the gel polish, making it a lot easier, hence faster, to cure the gel polish.

LED bulbs also last much longer than UV bulbs. UV bulbs will need to be replaced after about 10,000 hours of use. If not, they could affect the overall quality of the finished gel manicure. In addition to that, if best UV nail lamp get broken they could potentially emit harmful mercury vapors.

LED bulbs, on the other hand, last for up to about 50,000 hours. They also use less electricity. Those who do not know when it’s time to replace these bulbs will observe a different output in the gel nails that they create.

All these advantages do not come without a price, of course. So, if you think of buying LED lights instead, you should be ready to pay more. Even then, as LED lamps offer more advantages (as presented earlier), you’ll end up buying a more economical product in the long run.

Before you decide which lamp to buy, make sure that you consider not only the cost but also the purpose for which the lamp will be used. If you buy a specific brand or lamp, make sure that you will use the matching gel system created specifically for that dryer. This will make a huge difference in the quality of the gel manicure or pedicure that you will create, find one that will be the best match for all the gel polish and products that you intend to use.

You will also need to check the gel polish manufacturer’s website on its recommendations on how to properly cure various polishes under either a best UV LED nail lamp.

No matter which lamp you go with, you will need to consider one that will provide the most benefits for you or your clients.

A Leopard Gecko can be an interesting pet to have. Many children get amazed by their traits as well as their physical features. They remind us of the huge gecko that are part of several blockbuster movies. This time, they are a lot smaller and quite easier to handle.

Still, there are several things that you still need to do when you have a Leopard Gecko. This reptile has a different set of habitats and diet requirements than the regular pets that you are familiar with. They have lived long in the arid desert of Australia that you will need to mimic their natural habitat to let them live healthy and satisfied longer.

Once you have figured out your pet’s daily requirements for food, heating, humidity, and other related husbandry essentials, it will be easy for you to keep them satisfied.

Choosing a substrate for your Gecko.The Leopard Gecko spends much of its time basking in the sun. When you set up its cage or enclosure, you will need to provide the same heat that it receives while in its original habitat. Doing so will provide the necessary body heat that it needs to synthesize and digest its food and perform other internal body functions. It is also one of the best ways to protect your pet gecko from metabolic bone disease, mouth rot, and other unhealthy conditions.

As such, you will need to provide the appropriate substrate for your reptile. However, choosing the right substrate can be quite confusing when building an enclosure for your pet. There are several positions when it comes to which substrates are safe and best for the specific age and size of a pet reptile such as a Leopard.

Paper Towels

Paper towels may not be the best appealing substrate for a terrarium, but they are considered to be one of the most favored substrates available. For one, they can easily be found and also quite easy to change if needed. They are also the best choice as a substrate for juveniles and hatchlings gecko that are under a year old.

Paper towels are quite hygienic. They can easily be cleaned, hence can reduce the chance of your gecko getting sick. You also won’t need to worry about ingestion or inhalation as paper towels are very absorbent. Having them as a substrate will also make it easier for you to monitor your pet’s eating and bowel movements.

However, if you decide to have paper towels as your pet’s substrate, your gecko will not burrow in them (a natural and common thing that gecko do). So, if you would like to see your gecko in action, you will need to find another substitute.

Sand

Sand is considered unsafe by some pet keepers as it may cause ingestion and impaction. It can also cause some respiratory problems as dust may gather on the sand, as well as bacteria and other microorganisms. Still, many gecko keepers prefer sand as a substrate. They find it easier to scoop grcko waste out of it. Sand also provides a more the natural look and allows a leopard gecko to burrow its body in it.

If you find this to be a better alternative, make sure you use it in creating a healthy adult gecko’s substrate as they are less likely to ingest sand. You may also need to opt for fine-grained. Make sure to place a dish with calcium supplement that can help meet your gecko’s calcium needs. A food dish can also lessen the probability of ingestion. However, if you see some a trace of sand in your pet’s feces, you will need to change the substrate as this could be a sign that your gecko is ingesting it. You should also check any sign of obstruction as it will be necessary that a reliable vet should see your pet immediately.

Paper

Just like paper towels, paper sheets are safe and well-favored substrate alternative. They are also quite easy to use and are quite easy to clean.

You may also shred pieces of papers and use them as build a substrate for your Leopard Gecko. They are usually safe for geckos to burrow in. They don’t usually ingest paper beddings. However, in case they do, the paper they should just pass through your geckos without any problem.

Reptile Carpet

Here is another good alternative for a gecko substrate. A reptile carpet is also easy to clean and pose less risk of ingestion. You may just need to watch for any loose threads that your gecko could possibly ingest or may trap its leg. There are also some carpets that can be a bit tough for a gecko’s skin, so you always have to check if your pet has any red spots on its belly. To allow easier and regular cleaning, it is also best to keep two pieces on hand.

Prepackaged Reptile Beddings

There are several reptile bedding products made available online or in local stores that you can use as a substrate for your pet gecko. Just like the other substrates, they can also cause impaction, you will need to constantly monitor for any loose parts or large pieces of the beddings that may cause impaction when ingested.

Slate Rocks

Some gecko keepers may use slate rocks and set them as a substrate for their pets. They use a small amount of sand as an anchor for the slates and fill the spaces between these rocks. This creates a natural-looking habitat. The rocks can also hold and distribute heat quite well. Such a substrate will also lessen the possibility of any impaction.

When choosing the best substrate for your Leopard Gecko, consider one that will not hinder your pet from doing what it loves to do in its natural habitat. It’s also a good habit to always monitor your pet’s enclosure for anything that may cause impaction and other health-related issues. Also take note that wood chips, corn cob, walnut shells, wood shavings, and gravel are proven to be inappropriate choices for geckos. Choose one that will best suit your gecko’s need and satisfaction.

For those who have cared for bearded dragons, constantly checking their pet’s health is essential. Even though a docile pet like this dragon may be used to the harsh conditions of their original habitat, they won’t be called such a contrasting description as a docile dragon for no reason at all. As such, you will need to understand and be ready to provide the right condition to let your dragon pet remain healthy. In this post, you will learn how to spot a healthy bearded dragon.

Unusual Bearded Dragon Behavior That Are Considered Normal

Throughout the year, your pet dragon will undergo several cycles that may seem to be unnatural. You may even suspect that your beardie is sick when in fact it is not. Here are the natural cycles that it usually goes through.

1. Brumation

This is a naturally occurring hibernation cycle that your pet has to go through. It usually happens in winter or fall as their physical makeup responds to the changes in the natural lighting or temperatures. There are cases when owners of bearded dragons will manipulate the lighting and the temperatures in their pet’s cage as an attempt to prevent their pets to pass through this phase. It is high;y recommended, however, to let your bearded dragon to do what comes naturally for them.

Although every bearded dragon goes through this phase, they may have different reactions to this period. There are beardies that will take long naps on and off throughout the cycle. Other bearded dragons will sleep without even waking throughout the entire cycle. The length of the brumation period also varies based on the dragon. There are bearded dragons that don’t go through this cycle at all. Some will undergo the cycle for up to a week, while others will be in the brumation period for up to several months.

During the brumation period, your pet will become less active. It will also sleep longer. You may also notice the bearded dragon to have a lesser liking to eat. This is the reptile’s natural response to the cycle. Yet, you won’t notice that your bearded dragon is losing any weight even then if it is healthy.

Bearded dragons will only shed some weight during this cycle if they have parasites. If you suspect that your pet is entering the cycle, make sure that you have it tested for any parasite infestation. It’s also a good thing to weigh their dragon before and during the cycle to see if there are any changes in their weights. This will not be an effective measure, however, if your pet has parasites.

It is important that you keep your beardie’s cage lighted throughout the brumation period and to feed the bearded dragon any time it wakes up or bask in its basking light, To do that, select best UVB bulb for Bearded Dragon. Just keep a bit of fresh food and water in their food and water bowls and monitor if the reptile ate and took a sip.

You don’t need to wake the dragon, however. Just let nature have its way. If you will try to wake your pet, there’s a probability that you will just lengthen the brumation cycle. It is best to just leave your beardie undisturbed.

2. Shedding

The baby and juvenile bearded dragons frequently shed their skin in response as they grow. Adult bearded dragons shed their skin once or twice every year, however.

When the time that a beardie will be shedding its skin, you will notice that its color will seem to be fading. Their eyes will appear to be puffed out further than usual. These changes are quite normal. They are just signs of a healthy shedding.

During this period, you will need to make sure that your reptile remains clean and always hydrated. Bathe your pet with warm water. You can also use a spray bottle to mist your dragon occasionally. This will keep your pet moist during the shedding cycle. If the dragon’s skin is kept hydrated, it will be easier for it to shed faster. While it is in its tank, it may be more difficult for the dragon to shed as it will be quite warm in it.

During this cycle, you don’t need to help the dragon by pulling off its skin. Just let it come off naturally. If you will try to pull off its skin when it’s not yet ready to shed, you might just damage its new scale. However, you may need to monitor the tip of its tail and their toes as these are areas where shedding take longer. If the old skin will not shed off from these areas, blood flow may be restricted from flowing through this parts of their body. This may kill the dragon’s skin tissue. Thus, you may help your pet to pull off the skin from these parts of its body. You should also make sure that the skin of the beardie remains moist for a few days as it will promote quicker healing.

While these are unusual conditions that your pet needs to go through, there are certain characteristics that can easily tell you that if your pet is kept healthy.

Signs of a healthy dragon

Your pet dragon will most likely be active most of the time. It will just act unusual or weak only when it is sick or not feeling well. It will be active and alert if it is healthy. Its overall appearance will also indicate if it is great shape. Take note if there’s any part of its body that is swollen or is releasing a puss or any unusual fluid, like around the eyes, the mouth, and the around the joints.

In any case you see these signs, however, you may need to bring your pet to a veterinarian for proper diagnosis.

Bearded dragons defecate regularly. In case it stopped defecating for some time, give it a warm bath to encourage it to defecate. If it still won’t, you’ll need to bring it to the vet. You also need to observe your dragon if it is feces has turned soft, or if it has diarrhea.

A major source of concern will be anything of these signs: paralysis, droopy or swollen eyes, bumps in the legs, tremors or spasms, and other unusual bumps in its body. Any of these signs may need a vet’s proper diagnosis.

To understand the effects of nail polish on fungus, knowing the causes of toenail fungus is in order. Left untreated, toenail fungus can spread. Toenail fungus is a common fungus infection that we ignore and the fungus infection gets worse.

What Causes Toenail Fungus?

First of all, toenail polish cannot cause toenail fungus. The primary cause of nail fungus is moisture that is trapped beneath the nail. Fungus grows in a warm, humid environment very similar to the conditions your toenails are exposed when wearing shoes. A cut or abrasion to the toenail can cause an entranceway for the fungus to grow underneath the nail. This cut or abrasion creates more area for the fungus to grow underneath the nail.

Signs Of Toenail Fungus

The first sign of toenail fungus is a small dot on your toes.

If you see the initial signs of toenail fungus, check your toes regularly.

The quicker you treat the fungus, the sooner it will heal and not spread.

Precautions When Using Traditional Nail Polishes

Nail polish does not cause nail fungus.

However, when applying nail polish acts as a sealant, locking in moisture beneath the nail.

Your nail does not have a chance to breathe, creating a condition where fungus can spread.

Never use traditional type nail polish to cover up fungus. This will just make the fungus worst!

Applying a fake nail over a fungus infected nail will just make the fungus worst.

Using Anti-Fungal Polishes

Medicated polishes are made to take care of the infection underneath the nail bed.

These medicated polishes not only work well on fungus; they help cover up the toenail fungus.

Tradtional Nail Polishes Make the Polishes Worst

Common nail polishes just make toenail fungus worst because it traps the fungus underneath. This fungus will remain beneath a imbedded wet layer which allows the fungus to thrive and spread through the nails. This condition can be made worst when your toenails are packed into shoes that do provide proper ventilation to your feet. By just applying non-medicated nail polish and hoping the infection will go away will only make it worst. Fungus can grow and spread to other parts of the body.

Nail Preparation

If nails are thick due to nail fungus, a pair of extra strength clippers is suggested. A antifungal base coat will need to be applied after your nails after proper trimming is done. After antifungal polish is applied, your antifungal nail polish will need to be applied every seven days.

With So Many Different Kinds of Deodorant, Which is Right for You? The sheer number of different kinds of deodorant on the supermarket shelves can overwhelm you. There are so many choices: Stick or spray? Scented or unscented? Wet or dry? Trying to decide between these can seem an impossible task. The ingredients label doesn’t help either. You would need a chemistry degree to sort out the chemical properties. So, what to do? The key to choose the right odor protection is to consider your personal body odor parameters.

What are Body Odor Parameters?

Your body odor parameters are the social, physiological, and chemical conditions that make up your body’s unique odor patterns. It’s a little different for everyone, but defining these parameters allows you to narrow your choices down to the best matches for your odor needs. So what are these parameters?

Gender– Companies market deodorants differently according to the sex of the consumer. And it’s not just the darker hues of greens, blues and browns for men, and pinks and pastels for the gals or the fact that women’s scents tend to be fruitier than men’s. There are biochemical reasons as well. The glands that excrete sweat and create armpit odor act differently in relation to male and female sex hormones. Getting a gender specific deodorant increases the chances you will get maximum odor protection.

Odor Intensity – Factors like body type and diet can change the intensity of your odor patterns. If you are overweight or eat a diet high in fats, you may find that the glands in your armpits secrete stronger odors than your skinnier, vegetarian acquaintances. A stronger, dry stick may be more appropriate for you if you have stronger body odors. You may also consider getting a scented deodorant that will chemically mask your body odors when your deodorant breaks down late in the day.

On the other hand, have milder natural ingredients like baking soda. These will have a less of a reaction with your body while still keeping you dry and odor free.

Skin Sensitivity and Health – If you are prone to eczema or other skin sensitivity conditions, you will want to choose a deodorant with hypoallergenic properties. These deodorants avoid the harsh chemicals that most often cause reactions in people with skin sensitivities.

Ideally, you want to use deodorants with natural compounds that have a longer track record of health testing. The stronger your deodorant, the greater the chance that the chemicals used have negative side effects.

Extraneous Factors – You may also want to consider factors such as cost when choosing from the different kinds of deodorant. If you only trust brand names, you may have to pay a little more. You may also have certain moral and political considerations. Are you okay with animal testing, for example? If these considerations are important to you, you will have to do some extra investigation. These days, most deodorants indicate whether they were tested on animals right on the package, just look for the animal cruelty label.

Trial Runs – With these factors in mind, you are now armed with the tools you need to narrow the many different kinds of deodorant to two or three that are the best match for you. Try each for a month—preferably all in the same season—and choose the one that best fits your body’s odor pattern.